d35 worth building?
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From: Dalton,GA
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5
I have read alot of posts about the d35 being crap but is it really that bad?
i never plan on running anything bigger than a 33x12.50s with lockers... can it handle this with alloy axles?
i never plan on running anything bigger than a 33x12.50s with lockers... can it handle this with alloy axles?
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. K&N, Borla headers, custom down pipe, magnaflow hi-flo cat, flowmaster to turn down tip
the answer is automatically no once you say lockers. this axle will not even be able to handle 31's with a locker in it. you are asking for certain death by installing a locker. get yourself a Chrysler 8.25 or junkyard dana 44. they are pretty cheap in a junkyard
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Dalton,GA
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5
ok lol i have been searching hi & lo for ford 8.8 but not having much luck and the pinion bearing is out of my d35 so i need to do something asap. Guess the search continues.
thanks
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From: Lenoir City, TN
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
There's also a Pull A Part up here that has a few 8.8's. I got mine for right at 100$, rotor to rotor.
i have a 35 with a set of spare shafts for sell so you can brake all you want
kidden aside i would go with an 8.8 if you want to lock it or a 44 but good luck finding one

kidden aside i would go with an 8.8 if you want to lock it or a 44 but good luck finding one
I have a d44 for sale with disc brakes and 4.88's.
Seriuosly dont spend any money on a d35. The problem with them is the tubes are weak. The tubes start to bend, then the c clip and tube puts pressure on the shaft, and BOOOM, you become that guy on the trail holding everyone up.
Derrick was at my house last night when myself and another guy were having the 8.8v/s d44 debate. It is all about what you want to run.
For a direct bolt in the xj d44 is the way to go. If you dont mind working and doing work to the 8.8 it is a stronger axle, but has other issues you have to overcome. Mainly welding the tubes to the center section, the spring perch width, and lack of shock mounts. Then there is the width thing, but spacers can correct that.
Seriuosly dont spend any money on a d35. The problem with them is the tubes are weak. The tubes start to bend, then the c clip and tube puts pressure on the shaft, and BOOOM, you become that guy on the trail holding everyone up.
Derrick was at my house last night when myself and another guy were having the 8.8v/s d44 debate. It is all about what you want to run.
For a direct bolt in the xj d44 is the way to go. If you dont mind working and doing work to the 8.8 it is a stronger axle, but has other issues you have to overcome. Mainly welding the tubes to the center section, the spring perch width, and lack of shock mounts. Then there is the width thing, but spacers can correct that.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Dalton,GA
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5
How far are you from dalton ga?
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From: Lenoir City, TN
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
I don't know why some JUNKyards think they're in a position to put their kids through college on a single purchase.
How far are you from dalton ga?
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Leno...970299&2v=CITY
PingPong has a nice D44 with the discs and gears, but if you're wantin' to just bolt in another axle with stock gears, i'd sell that 8.25 for 50 bucks. It's obviously a drum brake setup like you have now.
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From: West Deptford, NJ
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From: Lenoir City, TN
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
And you have the option of going to a 29 spline carrier/axles if you want to and the tubes are beefier.
The 27spline 8.25 is a stronger axle than the D35.
The ring gear is 8.25 verses the D35 7.62.
The 8.25 pinion is the same dia as the D60.
The 8.25 axle tubes are thicker and stronger than the D35.
It's not as strong as the 97+ 8.25, but IMO it's stronger than the D35. One of the biggest down sides to the D35 is the axle tube flex. That flex puts stress on the internals as well as the shafts. Any time someone asks about a Super35 kit, I recommend they truss the axle as well.
The 27spline 8.25 is a stronger axle than the D35.
The ring gear is 8.25 verses the D35 7.62.
The 8.25 pinion is the same dia as the D60.
The 8.25 axle tubes are thicker and stronger than the D35.
It's not as strong as the 97+ 8.25, but IMO it's stronger than the D35. One of the biggest down sides to the D35 is the axle tube flex. That flex puts stress on the internals as well as the shafts. Any time someone asks about a Super35 kit, I recommend they truss the axle as well.
Last edited by TonyB; Aug 29, 2010 at 08:40 AM.
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. K&N, Borla headers, custom down pipe, magnaflow hi-flo cat, flowmaster to turn down tip
how hard was it to put disc brakes on your dana 44, and where r u located at pingpong?
I am located in Middlesex VA.
As for how hard it is.. depends on which disc brake setup you use. On the crown vic brakes it is pretty easy.. need new axle retainer plates off of a tj rubicon, then drill to the old style d44 pattern, grind a lil tab off of the disc brake backing plate.. and your good.
With the ZJ disc brake, you need to do the same with the retaining plate, but on the disc brake backing plate, you have to drill the backing plate, and open up the senter hole 3/32nds so the oil seal slides in.
In both cases you have to remove bearing retainer ring, bearings and oil seal to install the tj rubicon axle retainer. SO long story short w/o the right tools it is kinda hard. If doing this swap I strongly recommend upgrading to some alloy shafts. When I did one of my axles it was only 100 bucks more to buy the alloy usa kit, then it was to get the parts at the local napa.
I sold my 4.10 d44 yesterday.. I stil have the one with 4.88's. Both of my axles are/were disc braked
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From: Cove, OR
Year: 1993
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And you have the option of going to a 29 spline carrier/axles if you want to and the tubes are beefier.
The 27spline 8.25 is a stronger axle than the D35.
The ring gear is 8.25 verses the D35 7.62.
The 8.25 pinion is the same dia as the D60.
The 8.25 axle tubes are thicker and stronger than the D35.
It's not as strong as the 97+ 8.25, but IMO it's stronger than the D35. One of the biggest down sides to the D35 is the axle tube flex. That flex puts stress on the internals as well as the shafts. Any time someone asks about a Super35 kit, I recommend they truss the axle as well.
The 27spline 8.25 is a stronger axle than the D35.
The ring gear is 8.25 verses the D35 7.62.
The 8.25 pinion is the same dia as the D60.
The 8.25 axle tubes are thicker and stronger than the D35.
It's not as strong as the 97+ 8.25, but IMO it's stronger than the D35. One of the biggest down sides to the D35 is the axle tube flex. That flex puts stress on the internals as well as the shafts. Any time someone asks about a Super35 kit, I recommend they truss the axle as well.
Last edited by Rock Toy; Aug 29, 2010 at 12:47 PM.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. K&N, Borla headers, custom down pipe, magnaflow hi-flo cat, flowmaster to turn down tip
I am located in Middlesex VA.
As for how hard it is.. depends on which disc brake setup you use. On the crown vic brakes it is pretty easy.. need new axle retainer plates off of a tj rubicon, then drill to the old style d44 pattern, grind a lil tab off of the disc brake backing plate.. and your good.
With the ZJ disc brake, you need to do the same with the retaining plate, but on the disc brake backing plate, you have to drill the backing plate, and open up the senter hole 3/32nds so the oil seal slides in.
In both cases you have to remove bearing retainer ring, bearings and oil seal to install the tj rubicon axle retainer. SO long story short w/o the right tools it is kinda hard. If doing this swap I strongly recommend upgrading to some alloy shafts. When I did one of my axles it was only 100 bucks more to buy the alloy usa kit, then it was to get the parts at the local napa.
I sold my 4.10 d44 yesterday.. I stil have the one with 4.88's. Both of my axles are/were disc braked
As for how hard it is.. depends on which disc brake setup you use. On the crown vic brakes it is pretty easy.. need new axle retainer plates off of a tj rubicon, then drill to the old style d44 pattern, grind a lil tab off of the disc brake backing plate.. and your good.
With the ZJ disc brake, you need to do the same with the retaining plate, but on the disc brake backing plate, you have to drill the backing plate, and open up the senter hole 3/32nds so the oil seal slides in.
In both cases you have to remove bearing retainer ring, bearings and oil seal to install the tj rubicon axle retainer. SO long story short w/o the right tools it is kinda hard. If doing this swap I strongly recommend upgrading to some alloy shafts. When I did one of my axles it was only 100 bucks more to buy the alloy usa kit, then it was to get the parts at the local napa.
I sold my 4.10 d44 yesterday.. I stil have the one with 4.88's. Both of my axles are/were disc braked


